It is common practice to see the gasoline and diesel being sold in plastic drums by the gallon right in front of gas pumps as soon as there is a gas shortage, gas that is purchased at that same pump and stores for black market opportunities.

In a statement dated Sunday, March 3, 2019, city mayor Luma Démétrius and vice Delegué Arold Joseph have formally banned gas pump owners from selling petroleum products in large containers to small retailers.

According to the statement, formal instructions will be passed to the officers of the Haitian National Police (PNH) to proceed to the arrest of any offender to this provision.

Ouanaminthe is not the only Haitian city to ban this practice. Before Ouanaminthe, authorities in Jérémie (Grand'Anse) and Gonaives had already made this decision.